West Coast Trail 2005  

Trip Report - May 9 to 15, 2005

Trip Report - Part 2

Photo Galleries & Links

We set out in great spirits this morning with much anticipation of a feast at Chez Monique's tonight. Arriving at Walbran, we proceed to take off our boots and replace them with sandals to make the creek crossing in very chilly waters. After making use of the sun to dry our chilled digits, we lace up our boots to continue on down the beach. Navi makes better time than us, as he finds no need to change footwear.

Arrival time at camp is 2:30 pm, our shortest day on the trail! Lots of time to set up camp, indulge in some much needed bathing and look after a bit of laundry. LadyHiker spots grey whales, which we would see off and on during our time on the coast. Time to head to Monique's for dinner! We enjoy fine food, pop, beer and the gracious hospitality of Monique and Peter. We see the whales again and Monique shares a couple of binoculars so we can all take a closer look. We end the evening on a fine note with a beautiful setting sun, grey whales just off the coast and sea lions playing in the surf. We also enjoy sharing our campfire with Ben & Jessica again, as well as with a young woman from France trekking solo.

Who would believe that we could be so hungry after the hearty meal at Monique's last night? But with the lure of a hearty breakfast, we could not pass up the opportunity to have our choice of meat, eggs & toast for breakfast? And fried potatoes (none of that shredded potato, garbage either don't you know, I am informed by Monique), hearty potato wedges!

As we set out to continue on our way, Navi informs our group that he has decided to end his journey with us along the trail. The teva hiking has taken it's toll and we sadly bid him farewell. We continue on and Navi has arranged transport back from to Port Renfrew where he will meet us Sunday. We miss his company on the trail.

I take my first fall today, well more of a slide than a fall, but I still went down. Standing on the downslope of a rock, I didn't notice the slick black covering as I was otherwised occupied with taking photos (imagine that!). My left foot began to slide and I just followed along. No injuries other than perhaps a scratch or two, and after making an ungraceful rise to my feet, I continued on after the group. I find it's interesting trying to get to my feet on unstable ground with a large backpack strapped to my back!

It rains overnight and we pack in the drizzle this morning. It rains on and off today. It's enough to make us put on our rain gear, steady, but not intense. Hodge was the rain-meter today. When he took off his rain gear, it started raining. Sure enough, within moments of him putting it back on again, the rain would lessen or come to a complete stop. Because of the weather, the camera did not get much use today. Just a few shots to capture the mood of the day.

It rains overnight quite heavily and it is still raining when we wake up. We pack up to set out for our last leg of the journey. The rains leave and the sun smiles down on us. Hodge and I arrive at the trailhead just after 12:00, plenty of time to relax before the scheduled 1:15 bus departure. LadyHiker and JVZ arrive behind us, along with Ben and Jessica who also have a reservation on the bus.

Naviguesser meets us in Port Renfrew with a big welcoming smile and a wonderful stash of pop, beer, chips and chocolate bars. Does this man know how to greet his friends after a week on the trail or what??? He is definitely our hero.

What an awesome trip. Thanks Hodge for organizing another fabulous adventure. You are the best! And to Navi who hiked through some pretty tough terrain in Tevas for four days . . my hat is off to you, sir! I saw no blood, let alone any scratches, on your exposed feet. I didn't know California boys were so tough!!! :-)

Oh, and by the way . . the ladders, although intimidating, were not nearly as frightening as I imagined them to be....... Trillium